This winter the Lake Zurich paddle
steamer Stadt Zurich, built in 1909, has undergone a major refurbishment
in the covered dock in the shipyard at Wollishofen on the south west outskirts
of the city after which the paddler was named.

The port paddle wheel with the
feathering mechanism clearly visible. Top left is the eccentric hub
which is connected to the paddle blades by the radius arms. As the wheel rotates
the eccentric controls and optimises the angle at which each blade enters and
leaves the water. Althoughearlier Dart paddle
steamers had feathering wheels the River Dart Steamboat Co reverted to old
fashioned radial wheels without this for Kingswear Castle. These
are less efficient but there is also much less to go wrong with them!

The newly laid foredeck. Re-decking a
ship is so much easier in a covered dock like this where the work can proceed in
an ambient temperature irrespective of the weather conditions outside. If deck
planks are laid in the open when it is wet the timber may be in a somewhat
swollen state and when the hot weather comes the planks will dry out causing the
seams between them to start to open up making the deck leak.

The 500HP engine built by the
shipbuilders Escher Wyss for the Stadt Zurich.

Part of the original hull plating has
been cut out here and new steel inserts have been welded into place.

The beautiful panelled saloon has also
undergone extensive work. Note the radiators.

A new use for the newly painted
ventilating cowls!

Stadt Zurich's sister Stadt
Rapperswill, built in 1914, also open to the public in the yard on 20th
March. The two lake Zurich paddle steamers run on many days during the season
from Easter to October but if the weather is poor are sometimes replaced on the
service by smaller and hence cheaper to run Diesel vessels.

If you would like to take a trip on one
of these beautiful paddle steamers have a look at the Lake Zurich
Website for further details.